Manchester builds its case for Piccadilly Gardens overhaul
Detailed plans are now open for consultation, with an application due to be submitted this summer as the council looks to tackle the much-maligned public space.
Last October, Manchester City Council released indicative images of its latest run at reinventing a spare that has been a hot topic for many years, and since then has appointed a delivery team to design and build the scheme.
Main contractor Galliford Try, landscape architect Planit, planner Enabl, and civil, structural and highways engineer Civic make up that senior team, announced this March.
Detailed plans have now been developed, addressing a brief that includes:
- Putting the ‘Gardens’ back in Piccadilly Gardens – more green space including lawn, trees, planting, seating and colourful horticultural displays.
- A new space for family-friendly events - removing the old, unreliable fountains and creating a new space to hold enjoyable events and activities throughout the year. A new, flexible structure – referred to as The Welcome Pavilion – will be built on part of the space to help support regular activity.
- Better use of space - ripping out the low concrete walls and raised planters along the edge of Piccadilly Gardens, close to the Queen Victoria statue, and improving the statue’s setting.
- Refreshing the existing children’s play area – creating a new, larger playground for younger children. This will be of the same quality as those introduced at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green but tailored to its setting.
A pre-planning consultation starts today and will run until Wednesday 15 July.
MCC said that the views expressed by the public over previous proposals “have been heard loud and clear” and insisted that this pre-planning consultation “does not repeat what has gone before,” instead setting out how the designs have responded to those views and asking for feedback to inform the final planning submission.
A key feature of the imagery shown on the consultation boards is a broad main path through from the foot of Oldham Street to the pavilion and transport interchange beyond. A new pavilion is proposed towards the Mosley Street side. Yet to be designed, it would measure around 1,200 sq ft.
Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “We’re getting on with sorting out Piccadilly Gardens. We all want to see a space which Mancunians can be proud of – a welcoming and attractive environment which people want to spend time in.
“So as well other initiatives which are delivering more police and more CCTV, we’re bringing forward this scheme to transform the public space. That means investment in more flowers, more greenery, a new welcome pavilion, a new and bigger playground and an altogether more inviting Piccadilly Gardens. A bright new chapter is just around the corner.”
Better greening and paving is a goal. Credit: Virtual Planit
MCC acknowledged that physical improvements are only a part of the issues around Piccadilly Gardens, with management and maintenance needing to be stepped up to deal with social issues. This has already been started, with a strengthened police presence through GMP’s dedicated neighbourhood policing team.
The council said that a new management model for Piccadilly Gardens is being developed in tandem with the physical plans and more details will be announced in due course with a fresh approach to public – private partnerships, community involvement and civic pride.
Once the physical works are completed, the council aims to ensure a regular stream of family-oriented activity and seasonal events. MCC also believes that the recently consented revamp of One Piccadilly Gardens and the coming on stream of the Rylands development at the former Debenham’s will provide a fillip for the area.
In the longer term, Transport for Greater Manchester is looking to modernise the transport interchange.
Piccadilly Gardens has long frustrated many in the city. Various attempts have been made to tackle the issues, with LDA coming up with initial proposals in 2017, being appointed by the council in 2020, then winning a competition for a redesign in 2023.
The pavilion building was revamped in 2024 but otherwise those hoping for change have grown increasingly frustrated. It was announced in January that hoardings would go up for an 18-month improvement programme, for which an initial £15m was earmarked.
Along with the online consultation, people can also view the proposals, talk to the team and provide feedback during three half day drop-in sessions at Manchester Art Gallery. Sessions will be held on Tuesday 23 June (1pm-5pm), Friday 26 June (10am-2pm) and Saturday 27 June (11am-3pm.)
Meeting the Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green standard is the aim for the play space. Credit: Virtual Planit
